2014 Nissan ALTIMA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,114 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
64,300 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 727 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 280 of 1,114 complaints (25.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 196 | 17.6% |
| Steering behavior | 70 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 55 | 4.9% |
| Braking behavior | 53 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 37 | 3.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 280 |
| Air Bags | 206 |
| Power Train | 206 |
| Suspension | 129 |
| Unknown Or Other | 82 |
| Engine | 77 |
| Electrical System | 70 |
| Steering | 58 |
Exterior Lighting: 280; Air Bags: 206; Power Train: 206; Suspension: 129; Unknown Or Other: 82; Engine: 77; Electrical System: 70; Steering: 58
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 189 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 94 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 151 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 140 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 126 |
| 150,000 and above | 27 |
Under 25,000: 189; 25,000 to 49,999: 94; 50,000 to 74,999: 151; 75,000 to 99,999: 140; 100,000 to 149,999: 126; 150,000 and above: 27
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (189). 387 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 86 |
| 2015 | 78 |
| 2016 | 82 |
| 2017 | 83 |
| 2018 | 123 |
| 2019 | 175 |
| 2020 | 165 |
| 2021 | 115 |
| 2022 | 77 |
| 2023 | 46 |
| 2024 | 35 |
| 2025 | 29 |
| 2026 | 17 |
2013: 3; 2014: 86; 2015: 78; 2016: 82; 2017: 83; 2018: 123; 2019: 175; 2020: 165; 2021: 115; 2022: 77; 2023: 46; 2024: 35; 2025: 29; 2026: 17
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 196 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 70 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 55 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10545345 · 2013-09-25 (September 25, 2013)
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN AT A STOP LIGHT, VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SLOW DOWN. IT FELT AS IF IT WAS GOING TO LOSE POWER. I HAD TO PUSH THE ACCELERATOR HARDER THAN EXPECTED AS THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE BEARING DOWN ON ME IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS A NEW VEHICLE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND IT APPEARS TO BE A TORQUE CONVERTER ISSUE. THE SHAKING IS NOT AN ISSUE IN ITSELF, HOWEVER IT COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS IF SOMEONE IS MAKING A TURN AND NEEDS TO GET OUT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AS THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SEEM TO RESPOND AS EXPECTED. …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,070 miles reported. Look up ODI 10545345 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10552095 · 2013-11-13 (November 13, 2013)
THE STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO SHAKE AND I FEEL MY GAS PEDAL VIBRATE WHEN DRIVING APPROX. 30-40 MPH AND UP. NISSAN TECHNICAL SERVICES MECHANIC SAID THAT IS NORMAL FOR NISSAN ALTIMA 2013/2014. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10552095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10555928 · 2013-12-13 (December 13, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASH INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A SEPARATED HIP. THE TWO REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, SPINE AND WHIPLASH INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SENT AN ENGINEER TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10555928 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10559829 · 2014-01-14 (January 14, 2014)
THE SUNLIGHT REFLECTS OFF OF THE BEIGE AND GLOSSY BLACK INTERIOR FINISHES AND CAUSES A MIRROR IMAGE OF THE INTERIOR SURFACES/GLARE ONTO THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELDS. THE GLARE ON THE GLASS IS VERY BRIGHT AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND TRAFFIC SIGNS AS WELL AS ANY OTHER OBJECT IN THE GLARE ZONE. THE GLARE ZONE RANGES BETWEEN 20 TO 50% OF THE WINDSHIELD AREA. THIS DESIGN FAULT WAS CORRECTED IN OTHER NISSAN CARS BUT NOT IN THE ALTIMA. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND WAS ADVISED "NO CORRECTION CAN BE MADE AT THIS TIME". *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,128 miles reported. Look up ODI 10559829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10562596 · 2014-02-02 (February 2, 2014)
NO UNUSUAL SOUNDS OR CHECK ENGINE NOTICED WITH THE FOLLOWING: 1) WHILE SITTING IN CRAMPED TRAFFIC, I LET OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL TO INCH FORWARD A FEW FEET WHILE RIDING THE BRAKE. RMS DROPPED TO 500 FOR EVERY INSTANCE AND CAR BEGAN TO SHUTTER. *TR 2) COMING TO STOP LIGHTS/SIGNS. AFTER TRAVELING A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 1/8-1/4 MILE @30-40 MPH, THE DECELERATION CAUSED THE RPM TO DROP TO 500 AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUTTER AS I REACHED THE STOPPING POINT. I NOTICED THIS EVERY NOW AND THEN. I CANNOT REPLICATE, HOWEVER I WAS ABLE TO RECORD THE RPM DROP O…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10562596 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10564295 · 2014-02-13 (February 13, 2014)
IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE CAR, WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT CAME ON. I DROVE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND GOT UP TO 60MPH BEFORE IT FINALLY SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE, THE ABOVE DATE IS THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED THOUGH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10564295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10564715 · 2014-02-17 (February 17, 2014)
PROBLEM IS, MY GIRLFRIEND WEIGHT 110LB. LOT OF TIME WHEN SHE SITS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THE AIRBAG INDICATOR TELLS US THE AIRBAG IS OFF. THIS PROBLEMS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR ON THE STREET NEXT TO CURBS. DESIGN OF ROADS IS, THE CENTER IS HIGHER THAN THE SIDES. BECAUSE OF THAT, WHEN I PARK ON THE RIGHT OF THE STREETS NEXT TO THE CURBS, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR IS HIGHER THAN THE RIGHT SIDE. SO WHEN MY GIRLFRIEND SITS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, HER WEIGHT DOESNT GOES TO THE CENTER OF THE SEAT. BUT IF THE CAR IS ON SURFACE LEVEL …
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10564715 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10564825 · 2014-02-18 (February 18, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE THE PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND SOMETIME THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS TURNED OFF. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE AND THE COMPUTER WAS ALSO REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,096.
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10564825 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V138000 · Electrical System:Software | Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2014-03-25 (March 25, 2014)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
Consequence: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V116000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Reported: 2015-02-27 (February 27, 2015)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 1, 2013, to December 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Consequence: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will be instructed to modify the bend angle of the hood actuation lever to eliminate potential interference with the hood inner panel. In addition, dealers will clean and lubricate the latch joint as needed. If significant corrosion is observed, the latch assembly will be replaced. This repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 14V-565.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V486000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Reported: 2015-08-04 (August 4, 2015)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified the agency on July 31, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2016 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 18, 2015. On October 14, 2015, Nissan expanded the recall to cover an additional 41,388 vehicles, including certain model year 2013-2015 Altima 3.5 vehicles equipped with a V6 engine manufactured March 30, 2012, to August 18, 2015 as well as the vehicles covered by the July 31, 2015 notification. In the affected vehicles, due to an improperly installed o-ring that may not have been seated correctly at the time of assembly, fuel may leak during a crash from the area where the fuel sending unit attaches to the fuel tank.
Consequence: If fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit. The recall began on September 28, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V681000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2015-10-20 (October 20, 2015)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
Consequence: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V029000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Reported: 2016-01-22 (January 22, 2016)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to December 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Consequence: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: These vehicles were previously included in recalls 14V-565 and 15V-116, however the previous remedy plan may not have been performed consistently to remove the safety risk. To correct this issue, Nissan will re-notify all affected owners and dealers will replace the hood latch with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on February 17, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 14V-565 and 15V-116.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V244000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2016-04-26 (April 26, 2016)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V911000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2016-12-19 (December 19, 2016)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima vehicles manufactured January 3, 2013, to July 29, 2013, 2015-2016 Rogue vehicles manufactured October 14, 2014, to August 12, 2016, and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured June 4, 2015, to August 19, 2015. An incorrect Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have been installed in the front passenger seat. The incorrect ECU and seat combination may misclassify the front passenger seat occupant.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU and update the OCS software free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V315000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Reported: 2020-05-28 (May 28, 2020)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2018 Nissan Altima vehicles. If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time.
Consequence: Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released again and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a stronger release spring in the hood release lever, a warning label near the secondary hood latch, and an Owners Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the secondary hood latch mechanism, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: Recall 16V-029 remains open for any unremedied 2013-2015 Altimas and this recall applies to all vehicles covered by 16V-029 even if those repairs have already been performed.
NHTSA campaign record ↗